Senior Program Manager: Administration & Operations

Illinois Public Health Institute

$83K — $107K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred in related field, or equivalent experience
  • Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in Operations or similar fields outside of Public Health
  • Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools such as Asana and Zoom
  • Proven project management experience with attention to detail and task prioritization
  • Strong understanding of program regulations and ability to convey them clearly

Responsibilities

  • Lead planning and evaluation of strategic initiatives and complex projects
  • Manage complex projects including budgets, timelines, and risks
  • Prepare progress reports for leadership and stakeholders
  • Ensure compliance with grant requirements
  • Monitor organizational performance and support continuous improvement efforts
  • Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and resolve project barriers
  • Supervise and develop team members while fostering an inclusive culture

Benefits

  • Multiple health plan options and employer-paid dental and vision insurance
  • Disability and life insurance coverage
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Generous paid time off and paid parental leave
  • Employee Assistance Program and 15 paid holidays, including a week off in December
Full Job Description
Open Date
8/21/2026

Description

JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Program Manager, Administration and Operations, leads the implementation of strategic organizational capacity-building initiatives that strengthen IPHI's operational infrastructure, organizational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. Working in close partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Program and Policy Officer, Chief Executive Officer, and the Performance Management SPM, this position directs cross-functional initiatives that advance the organization's strategic priorities by improving operational systems, organizational processes, project management, performance measurement, internal communications, and leadership capacity. The Senior Program Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, developing, and monitoring complex organization-wide initiatives, ensuring successful implementation of the Organizational Capacity Roadmap, continuous improvement efforts, and other strategic projects that enhance organizational sustainability, operational excellence, and growth.

This position serves as a central implementation leader responsible for aligning org-wide systems to streamline work across Centers and administrative functions, facilitating organizational change, monitoring progress toward key milestones, and supporting the successful execution of IPHI's strategic and operational priorities. This position may have direct reports.

This position is full-time, exempt, and reports to the Chief Operating Officer. IPHI's standard work week is 37.5 hours.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Program Leadership
  • Leads the planning, implementation and evaluation of assigned strategic initiatives and complex projects, developing workplans, milestones, performance measures and short and long-term goals in collaboration with organizational leaders
  • Manage complex projects and funding portfolios, including timelines, deliverables, budgets, and risks, program scope and partner relationships, ensuring effective execution and alignment with organizational priorities
  • Prepare regular progress reports for leadership, funders, and stakeholders
  • Ensure compliance with grant requirements and organizational priorities
  • Provides oversight of data collection and analysis; develops dissemination methods, as appropriate
  • Tracks invoices and partner/contractor payments and ensures accuracy and on-time payments
  • Champion a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision making

Capacity Building & Organizational Performance
  • Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of organizational capacity-building initiatives and recommendations, aligned with IPHI's Strategic Plan, and recommend adjustments based on performance data and organizational needs
  • Assess organizational capacity needs and gaps and recommend strategies, investments, and organizational improvements that strengthen operational effectiveness, workforce capability, leadership effectiveness, and organizational resilience
  • Partner with the Performance Management SPM to develop, monitor, implement and report enterprise KPIs and performance dashboards that measure organizational health, capacity, and provide leadership with actionable insights into organizational effectiveness
  • Partner with executive leadership to evaluate organizational capacity, prioritize initiatives, and align resources with strategic priorities
  • Lead organization-wide continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operationalprocesses, decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration

Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Coordinate projects involving multiple departments and external partners
  • Facilitate engaging workgroup and planning meetings
  • Build consensus among IPHI leadership and staff and resolve project barriers
  • Partner with the Communications Director to promote effective communication and accountability across teams
  • Lead program strategy, gather data and evidence to define and refine project direction, and communicate program impact backed by data
  • Contributes to the development and implementation of strategic priorities
  • Ensure that the strategy and implementation plans align with the fundraising strategy and long-term sustainability of IPHI

Organizational Effectiveness & Infrastructure
  • Coordinate initiatives that strengthen IPHI's organizational systems, operational infrastructure, and long-term organizational capacity
  • Support implementation of grants management systems and operational improvements
  • Assist with development and continuous improvement of organizational systems, policies, workflows, governance structures, and standard operating procedures
  • Develop and Coordinate organizational capacity-building initiatives
  • Identify and rally key partners and levers of change internally and externally
  • Provides recommendations to leadership regarding program strategy and priorities

Evaluation, Learning & Continuous Improvement
  • Support implementation of organizational performance measures aligned with strategic priorities, in collaboration with the performance management senior program manager
  • Monitor organizational performance measures, implementation milestones, and capacity building indicators to evaluate process and continuous improvement
  • Present quarterly organizational systems performance reports and recommendations to executive leadership
  • In Partnership with the Performance Management SPM, HR, and the COO to establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of organizational systems, cross-functional collaboration, leadership development, and operational efficiency

Leadership Development & Supervision
  • Integrate equity principles into project planning and implementation
  • Coordinate leadership development and organizational learning initiatives
  • Advises supervisor on program directions and strategy; assist with Center-level strategy as needed
  • Provide direct supervision, coaching, and support to assigned team members establishing clear expectations, priorities and accountability for performance and outcomes
  • Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, complete administrative tasks like timecard approval, performance evaluations, and ongoing feedback to strengthen employee performance, competencies, and professional growth.
  • Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture that promotes solution focused ideas and continuous improvement
  • Identifies and addresses performance, capacity, and team concerns in a timely manner, partnering with HR and organizational leaders when appropriate

Grant & Financial Management
  • May oversee programmatic budget areas such as contracts and program expenses
  • Create budget plans for program activities within parameters set by leadership and program staff
  • Select and negotiate with vendors within procurement and funding policies and procedures as appropriate
  • Monitors budget performance and raise concerns, or amendment needs proactively to leadership

Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS
  • A bachelor's degree required or master's preferred in related area (or equivalent of 4-5years of related experience)
  • A minimum of 6 years of applied/relevant professional experience applying Operations knowledge / skills or other similar experience outside of Public Health
  • Expert understanding of Microsoft programs including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook
  • Expert understanding of Zoom, Asana, and other project management or organizing apps
  • Project management experience, demonstrating a strong understanding of task planning, and ensuring project deliverables are met on time, PMP preferred
  • Prioritize tasks and meet deadlines; strong attention to detail
  • Understands and can clearly convey regulations, guidelines, and programmatic outcomes relevant to program implementation

JOB REQUIREMENTS
  • The position is full-time, exempt, 37.5 FTE hours per week
  • Must be able to sit at and operate a computer and other office equipment for a significant portion of the workday
  • Must be able to move about the office to access files and supplies
  • This position may entail occasional work in the evenings or on weekends and requires occasional travel for one or more nights from time to time
  • This position is located in Chicago and will require adherence to our hybrid schedule

Compensation: This position offers a salary range of $83,400 - $107,291 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits: IPHI offers competitive benefits, including multiple health plan options, dental, vision, employer-paid disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) with employer matching. Employees also receive PTO, paid parental leave, and an Employee Assistance Program, 15 paid holidays, including a week off in December.

Location: This position is located in Chicago. IPHI operates a hybrid office work model where team members work in the office two days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday), and individuals may work in the office or remotely the other three days per week. There is travel for meetings and site visits within Chicago, the suburbs, and Illinois. Occasional overnight travel within Illinois or nationally for conferences and training may be required.

Starting Date: Immediate.

Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time

Exempt/Non-Exempt
Non-Exempt

Location
Main Office

Start Date

This position is currently accepting applications.

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